Is this truck worth 23K?!

Jesster

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Hello everyone. New guy here interested in buying a lightning. I have been dealing with a dealership in my area that has a 2004 Sonic Blue Lightning with 56K miles for $23.3K. They told me it was immaculate and super clean. I got a loan approved for it and actually planned to trade my 2002 Corvette Z06 as well for it. I get to the dealership and look under it. There is rust everywhere and the spare tire holder has been CUT, yes cut out! Like with a grinder! So there's no way to keep a spare unless I weld another spare tire holder in or something like that. When I went to drive it there was wind coming into through the drivers driv windshield weather stripping. I have some videos linked below. The paint isn't immaculate, there are small dings all over. The passenger door has a 2 inch dent and scratch at the bottom. And the trim around the headlights has paint flaking off/pealing. The only clean part of the truck is the interior. It is very nice and clean. But the rest of the truck isn't. Really disappointed me and pissed me off a bit because even after I pointed all of this out they wouldn't budge on price or offer to fix any of it except the weatherstripping. What do you guys think. I'm not comfortable paying what they want for a truck with these issues that they didn't mention to me.



 

sonicx

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That would be a no go for me. That’s an 18.5k car. Anyways, I think your z06 trade is worth more than the truck.
 

Jesster

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That would be a no go for me. That’s an 18.5k car. Anyways, I think your z06 trade is worth more than the truck.

Ok, good. I know these trucks hold good value but I didn't think it was that good. They're trying to make a sales pitch like it's a holy Grail truck just because of the color and miles. But the condition is not immaculate like they claim.

And my Vette has higher miles(117K) and the market in my area is really low right now. I actually have it for sale for 15K right now.
 

sonicx

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Ok, good. I know these trucks hold good value but I didn't think it was that good. They're trying to make a sales pitch like it's a holy Grail truck just because of the color and miles. But the condition is not immaculate like they claim.

And my Vette has higher miles(117K) and the market in my area is really low right now. I actually have it for sale for 15K right now.

makes sense figured it was low mileage. SB trucks are harder to find but that’s too many issues for something with higher miles such as that.
 

Jesster

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makes sense figured it was low mileage. SB trucks are harder to find but that’s too many issues for something with higher miles such as that.

Yeah they make it seem like it being Sonic blue should make all of this stuff be overlooked.
 

ashleyroachclip

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The rust looks to be flash rust , from factory unpainted metal .
No idea what the electrical connectors hanging there are.
The spare crossmember makes you wonder for sure ..
 

DSG2003Mach1

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thats not clean enough even with the mileage for that price.

The spare tire carrier being removed makes me think it was run at the strip - a lot. If they arent willing to deal then time to walk away. You may be able to find more history on it with the vin and possibly the build number searching the forums and facebook groups
 

Jesster

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Yeah that's what I was thinking. Trying to cut weight. But it doesn't really make sense because you'd want more weight back there for traction right? Since the bed has no weight back there. I'm thinking some young kid had it, didn't care and just didn't know any better.
 

DSG2003Mach1

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Yeah that's what I was thinking. Trying to cut weight. But it doesn't really make sense because you'd want more weight back there for traction right? Since the bed has no weight back there. I'm thinking some young kid had it, didn't care and just didn't know any better.

these trucks aren’t as unevenly distributed weight wise as everyone seems to think. Weight loss is weight loss, suspension and tire makes up for it. People would mount the battery back there sometimes though
 

Kevinbonds

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Walk, I hate when dealers bull shit you on the condition. They really just want to get you in the door, then hard sell you. I would not buy that car without full history.
 

Fordflo

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I’m familiar with this truck too...that’s the same piece dealer told me as well...everything you mentioned and shared, I agree with others, walk away.
 

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